Artificial limb



Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

46 [Tn/enter, a6 Z. Wu gzakaw ttor 'ey 67 I G. E. MOORE.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

mwucmou FILED AUG-8. 1919.

y B w 4 w 5 a w 4 3 a w W 3 .movement in one UNITED STATES GEORGE E.MOORE,

PATENT OFFIQE.

0F PAT'EBSON, NEW JERSEY.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

Application filed August a, 1919. Serial To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. Gannon E. Moore, a. citizen of the United States.residing at Paterson, in the count of Passaic and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new an useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs. ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and concise description.

This invention relates to artificial limbs of the type embodying leg andfoot portions connected together for relative movement, and a toe memberhinged to the foot member; and has for its object the provision ofimproved means for controlling and limiting the relative movement of thevarious portions so as to provide an economical and durable artificiallimb which will closely simulate the movements of a natural one.

The invention contemplates the provision of a leg portion having a foo-tmember connected thereto for limited universal movement. a springsuspended stop to limit such direction and a nonstretchable elementtolimit such movement in the opposite direction. The invention furthercontemplates novel means for limiting the relative movement of the toeand foot members which means comprises a rearwardly extending armcarried by the toe member and means contained within the foot forlimiting the movement of the arm in either of two directions,

By employing an artificial limb construcb ed in accordance with thisinvention. the wearer may maintain his equilibrium when standing, whenwalking on a level or up or down a grade. and may even climb stairs orascend a ladder bearing all his weight on the toe member? all-with thefacility and sureness of a person possessing natural limbs.

One embodiment of the construction which secures these advantages overpreviously constructed artificial limbs is described in detailhereinafter and is illustrated in the accompanyi g drawings in whichFigure 1 is a side elevation of an artificial leg made in accordancewith my invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the foot member;

Fig. 3 is a. elevation showing the Specification of Letters ?atent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

foot and ankle members and a fragment of the shank portion taken on theline a-a of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line b-b of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5'is a cross section taken on the line c-c of Fig. 3, showing thefore part of the foot member and showing the joint whereby movement ofthe extremity of said member is permitted;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of an ankle member; and

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail. in which like characters ofreference are employed to designate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

7 indicates the shank portion of my device which is preferably hollowedout and shaped from a single block of wood to simulate the lines of thehuman leg. The top of this shank portion is provided with apertnredextensions 8, whereby said portion may be attached to an artificialthigh sec tion (not shown). or secured to the stump of the human leg. bymeans of straps or other suitable appliances (not shown).

In the present embodiment. these extensions comprise an arm 8" which iscountersunk in a recess in the exterior of the shank portion and rivetedor otherwise secured thereto. as shown at 8 the upper end being of abifurcated formation to receive a complemental member on the thighportion of an artificial leg and form a hinge connection therewith insuch instances as may be necessary.

When these connecting members 8 are secured in position, the exterior ofthe shank portion is then preferably covered with rawhide. a thinfabric. or paper. or a like material. glued or cemented thereto. whichoverlies the outer surfaces of the portions 8 of the connecting membersand gives the exterior of the shank portion a finish which possesses askin'like appearance.

The lower end of the shank portion 7 is slightly reduced or inset to fitsnugly or telescope within the upper part of the ankle member or section9, which is preferably a casting of aluminum, or any other suitableformation approximating that of the human ankle.

In the formation or casting of this ankle member 9, I provide a wall It?partially co extensive with the interior dimensions of said member, theupper surface thereof proriding a platform 1U on which the base or lowerend of the shank portion T is adapted to rest or bear. the lower part ofsaid leg portion being of a substantially solid construction to addstrength and rigidity thereto, as shown at 7*.

To add to the security of the connection between the shank portion 7 andthe ankle member 9, the oppositely disposed ears 9 are formed on theinterior of the ankle member 9 which carry bolts 11 passing throughlongitudinal bores in the lower part of the shank portion 7. the lowerpart of the e.- terior shank portion which is housed within the upperpart of the ankle member 9 being formed with cut-outs, complemental tothe said ears. lVhen the shank portion '5' is seated within the anklemember 9 and rigidly connected thereto by means of the securing nuts 12on the bolts 11, to which access 15 afforded through the transverseopenings 7 in the shank portion 7, it will be obvious that the shankportion 7 and ankle member 9 will be so joined as to be in if feet anintegral member.

In the formation of the horizontally disposed wall 10 within the anklemember 9, it is made of a sutlicient depth or thickness to permit of theformation of. a. semi-spherical socket 13 in the under side thereof.faced with a Babbitt metal 13". this socket being apertured at 13 forthe reception of a bolt 14, the head of whichis countersunk in the uppersurface 10 of the wall 10, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The foot member 15, having an integrally formed heel portion 15 and arelatively movable toe portion 16 connected thereto and functioning ashereinafter described, is in the form of a casting of aluminum or anyother material which will possess the requisite strength and lightness,and is shaped to approximate the contour of the human member for whichit is to form a substitute.

As will be observed, the contour of the upper part and edge of the saidfoot member 15 is complemental to that of the exterior of the lowerportion of the ankle member 9 which fits or telescopes therewithin. asclearly shown in Fig. 3. Extending transversely of the foot member 15.adjacent to the top thereof, is a rib 15 whi h, in conjunction with theoppositely disposed inwardly directed cars 17 on the interior of saidfoot member. forms a support for the semi-spherical joint member 18.This latter member is preferably formed of an antifriction metalsupported on a platform 19 to which it may be secured, so as to besubstantially integral therewith by welding, brazing, or the like.

The platform 1) has extensions formed to rest upon the rib 15 and theears 1?, and is firmly secured to these members by means of the bolts 20and 21. Positioned on opposite sides of the platform ii) are U-shapedrecesses 19 in which pieces of rubber or a similar resilient material.as indicated at 21, are inserted, this material forming a yieldingsupport for the wood blocks 21 preferably formed of lignum-vitae or asimilar wood which provides bearing surfaces for the downwardlydepending ears 9 of the ankle member 9.

From the construction thus far described, it will be obvious that whenthe inlay 9 of the ankle member 9 is positioned within the foot member15, the upon the bearing surfaces of the blocks 21. carried by the footmember 15. This will permit of a relative rocking movement of the ankleand foot members on a transverse axis, the extent of the movement of theforepart of the toot member toward the ankle member being limited by thenon-stretchable cord 40 which is passed around the transversely disposedblocks .11 and 43 carried by the shank and ankle members respectively.The blocks 41 and 43 are preferably of wood, the former being supportedin the oppositely located openings 42 in the wall of the shank member,while the latter is frictionally held within the spaced inverted U-shaped ribs 44 in the heel portion of the foot member 15. (flee Figs. 1and 3.)

Assuming that the wearer of my improved artificial leg is performing themovements oi walking, it is obvious that as the shank member 7 is thrownforwardly incidental to the completion of the supporting movement of astep and preparatory to taking another step, the cord 40 will becometaut and function to raise the heel of the foot member 15 out of contactwith the supporting surface.

The movable toe member 16 continues in contact with the supportingsurface to the limit of its movement on the hinged joint as hereinafterdescribed. or until the supporting movement of the step is completed. Asthe limb is raised for the placement of the foot for the next movementof the step, it is apparent that means must be provided for maintainingthe sole of the foot in a plane whereby the heel and ball of the footmember 15 will contact with the supporting surface in the same sequenceas the corre sponding parts of the human member.

This is accomplished by the employment of a yielding floating connectionbetween the ankle and foot members which consists of a pair of expansionsprings 45 and 46 mounted on the rod 47. This rod has hearings in theears 9 will rest freely messes boss 48 located in the heel of the footmember 15 and the lug 49 formed integral with the platform 19 in theankle member 9, and is provided with an intermediate shoulder 50 forminga bearing surface for the upper end of the spring 45, the lowerextremity of which is seated on the shoulder 48 of the boss 48. As willbe observed, the upper end of the spring 46 is located within the recess49 of the lug 49, while the opposite end thereof rests upon the shoulder50 of the red 47.

The tensional resistance of the spring 46 is less than that of the lowerspring 45, the two functioning with their cooperating elements tomaintain the ankle and foot members in proper relation and control theiraction with a yielding or cushioning movement. The upward movement ofthe rod 47 is limited by the plate 52 extending transversely of theankle member 9. This plate is of a harder material than that of theankle member, steel being preferably used, to form a durable orwear-resisting bearing surface for the case hardened pin 51 set in theupper end of the rod 47. This pin, riding on the under surface of theplate which is inclined upwardly toward the rear of the ankle mem ber,provides for the relative movements of the foot and ankle memberswithout interfering with the functioning of the springs and M5, asaforesaid.

hen the ankle member 9 is set or telescoped within the foot member 15,the joint member 18 registers with the complemental socket 13 of theankle member 9, and the two members 9 and 15'may then be coupledtogether by threading the convex surfaced nut 22 on the depending end ofthe bolt 14. This nut 22 is of a size to conform to the interiordimensions of the joint member 18,

and, as is evident from the structure shown in Fig. 3, when the ankleand foot members have been united as explained, they will be capable ofa relatively universal or rotary movement which will in eil'ectapproximate that of the astragalo scaphoid joint of the human leg. Thisis accomplished by the cooperation of the ears 9' and their bearings andthe components of the ball and socket joint or connection.

As previously pointed out, the toe portion 16 is movable relatively tothe remainder of the foot member on a transverse axis, a portion of theforepait of the casting forming the foot member 15 having a semi-annularrecess formed therein, as shown at 23, to receive a cylindrical sleeve2-1, the said sleeve being immovably held in position within said recessby means of screws 25 or the like. It is manifest of course that in lieuof securing this sleeve in position as described, it may be welded orbrazed to the casting, or the sleeve may be formed integral therewith.

The toe member 16 is formed with a semiannular recess 26 to provide abearing surface which is adapted to register and engage with theprojecting portion of the surface of the sleeve 24, the said recess 26being held in movable contact with said sleeve by means of a screw '27passing through the base of'the toe section 16 and seating in a plate 28curved in cross section, which is positioned within said sleeve 24, saidsleeve having a medially located elongated slot 28 in the wall thereofthrough which the shank of said screw is adapted to travel on themovement ofsaid plate. This hinged connection just described, inconjunction with the lugs 30 depending from the opposite sides of theforward extremity of the foot member 15, registering with thecomplemental recesses 31 on the toe portion 16, provides a; strong andsubstantial connection between the foot member 15 and the toe member 16,which is spaced forwardly of the vertical plane oi the line of cleavagebetween the foot member 15 and the toe portion 16. When the toe portion16 moves upwardly in the completion of a step movement, as previouslydescribed, the underpart 16 thereof contiguous to the line of cleavagewill be thrown downwardly out of alinement with the cooperating part ofthe foot member, and as theif'oot is placed for the supporting movementof another step, this under part 16 will precede the ball of the foot inmaking contact with the supporting surface, causing the toe portion 16to oscillate on the sleeve and assume its normal position. From this itwill be seen that the toe portion 16 will be capable of a resistantmovement which is substantially similar to that of the forward part ofthe human foot in performing the movements incidental to walking and thelike. The rear part of the toe member 16 is provided with an integrallyformed arm 32 preferably of the configuration shown herein, the upper orfree extremity of which is provided with a block of rubber or similarmaterial 33 firmly secured thereto, which is adapted to contact with theupper surface of the transverse rib 34 of the foot portion 15, wherebythe upward movement of the too member 16 is limited.

Teal-ford access to the hinged connection 15 and the toe the purposes ofadjustment and lubrication, I preferably make the upper or to part ofthe toe member removable, as s own at 16, this section being located bymeans of the registering pins and apertures 16", the parts beingsecurely fastened together by the screw 35. (See Fig. The base of thetoe portion is preferably formed with a transverse recess 36 withinwhich a piece 37 of leather, rubber, or a similar material, is insertedand frictionally held to form a yielding tread, the heel 15 of the footmember 15 being likewise cut out for the reception of a heel block 38 ofany suitable yielding material.

It will be manifest from the foregoing description that an artificialleg constructed in accordance with my invention will not only be capableof movements which will closely follow those of the human leg in the actof walking for instance, but will also have a degree of movement at theankle joint, whereby the functioning of this joint will accommodateitself to the general bearing of the user. This is a distinct advance inmaking an artificial leg an efiicient article of utility, as,heretofore, by reason of the construction of such devices, the wearer oruser was compelled to readjust his hearing to the limited forward andbackward movement of the ankle joint. Even then, after an artificial legof prior constructions had been worn for a considerable time, it wasdiflicult and required considerable effort for the wearer to maintainhis balance by reason of this defect. Furthermore, the toe actionconforms to the movements of the toe and forepart of the human foot inwalking, practically all objectionable stifi'ness and resnltantunsteadiness being eliminated.

My invention not only simulates the movements of the normal human limb,but its construction greatly facilitates the practising of thosemovements. The method of effecting the connection between the severalmovable parts, and of reinforcing and supporting one part through themedium of another, provides an artificial leg which possesses greatstrength and a degree of steadiness which will enable the wearer tomaintain an upright position when at rest without any conscious efiort.

I claim:

1. An artificial limb having a foot embodying a toe member hingedthereto, a rearwardly extending arm carried by said toe member and meanscontained within said foot to limit the movement of said arm in eitherof two directions.

2. An artificial limb having a leg portion and a foot member, connectedfor relative movement, a toe member hinged to said foot member, an armextending rearwardly from said toe member, means positioned within saidfoot member to cooperate with said arm to limit the movement of the toemember relative to said foot member in either of two directions, springcontrolled means for limiting the movement of said foot member relativeto said leg member in one direction and for moving said foot memberrelatively to said leg member in the opposite direction and anon-stretchable element for limiting movement in the latter direction.

3. An artificial limb having a leg portion and a foot member connectedfor relative movement and means for automatically returning the footmember to normal position upon the completion of a step, said meanscomprisin a rod, bearings for said rod carried by said leg and footmembers, a shouldcr located intermediate the ends of said rod, a pair ofsprings on said rod, said springs being separated by and abuttingagainst opposite sides of said shoulder, the other ends of said springsabutting against said bearing portions, an incline stop located withinsaid leg portion for limiting the movement of said rod and control lingthe movement of said foot relative to said leg portion in one directionand a nonstretchable element connected to said foot member and legportion respectively to limit the movement of the foot relative to theleg in. the opposite direction.

4. An artificial limb comprising in combination an ankle member, a footmember secured thereto, a tubular bearing running transversely of saidfoot member intermediate the sole and instep portions thereof, a concavecylindrical bushing on said toe member to cobperate with said bearing,means for securing said bushing to said bearing, an extension of saidtoe member rearward from said bearing and a stop carried by said footmember to cooperate with said extension to limit the movement of saidtoe member about said bearing.

5. An artificial limb having a leg portion and a foot member, asemi-spherical babbittlined socket in the bottom face of said legportion, a centrally-apertured semi-spherical anti-friction joint memberto cooperate with said socket, a platform comprising acentrally-apertured semi-spherical shell portion secured within saidfoot member to support said joint member, means comprising a boltpassing through said central apertures and a nut cooperating therewithfor maintaining said platform, joint member, and socket in coiiperativerelation; a spring suspended stop to limit the movement of said footmember relative to said leg portion in one direction, and anon-stretchable element to limit said relative movement in the oppositedirection.

GEORGE E. MOORE.

